Timothy Cox Will Not Change His Socks

by Robert Kinerk, Stephen Gammell

Having made a pledge to everyone in town that he would not change his socks for thirty days, Timothy Cox begins his month-long adventure with pride and excitement of what is to come, yet matters soon get stinky and everyone, including his parents, the Board of Health, and his teachers, are begging him to give up his silly and smelly task!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 26, 2005

Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this children's book up at the library, because the illustrator - Stephen Gammell - is hilariously, uniquely marvelous! How delighted I was to discover that the text was hilarious as well. Much to the chagrin of everyone in the story, Timothy Cox is determined to wear the same pair of (unwashed) socks for an entire month, no matter the consequences for him, his neighbors, schoolmates, teachers, family, or dog.
The rhyming text is fast-paced and entertaining; the illustrations, of course, are charming, and I can't help but love little Timothy, his dog Walter, and his faithful loving parents, who think the best of Timothy no matter what.
Gammell's other children's books include the award-winning The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, The Frazzle Family Finds a Way by Ann Bonwill, and Old Black Fly by Jim Aylesworth. Add some delightful humor and winsome illustrations to your reading and pick up one of these books!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

A recommended read aloud for ages 6-8 by the Minnesota State University. I love this one, it's a longer picture book which meets the needs of older elementary school classrooms for parents. Timothy Cox always follows through, unfortunately for everyone else he has decided to follow through with not changing his socks for a month! Lots of great rhymes and repetition of words that students can chime in on and repeat with you. The non stop discussion of the stink will keep kids chuckling along the way. Good for grades 5 and below.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Timothy Cox, who is a stickler for following through on a plan, decides not to change his socks for a month. He causes total havoc around town in the humorous rhyming tale of perseverance and stench.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elementary level picture book about a young boy who challenges himself to wear the same pair of socks for a month. Can he do it? funny but a little lengthy

[Shannon K]

I love how the illustrator brings to life the stench of Timmy’s socks by a lime green trail that fallows Timmy's feet and that that trail gets bigger and greener the longer Timmy wears the socks. Throughout the book the artist uses little colorful lines around the characters and objects. To me these lines mean motion and give the viewer a feeling that the environment is very chaotic. Most of the images take up the whole page but three do not. One of the three is in the form of a circle and the other two are squares with boarders. I think the artist did this just to add some variety throughout the story.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

One morning Timothy Cox decides to accomplish the impossible -- to go an entire month without changing his socks. Ever. No matter what. Phew! Despite the pleading of his parents, the urging of the school principal, and a visit by the Board of Health, Timothy sticks to his word. After all, a boy must keep his promises.

Great little moral to this story that the kids readily got. It had the whimsical rhyme of a Dr. Seuss book. A little long for a read aloud to a group, but great one on one to enjoy the pictures.

[Tyrone Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Timothy Cox will not change his Socks,” by Robert Kinerk and illustrated by Stephen Gammell. A fascinating book about Timothy Cox, who goes a whole month without changing his socks. This a great story about sticking to your words and following through on things. Also, this book allows younger children to count the days as Timothy goes without washing his socks. I would recommend for 1st and 2nd graders. This is a fiction book.

[Tanika · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s about a young boy who decides to accomplish the impossible. He decides to go a whole month wearing the same socks. Everyone pleads with him to change his socks, but he sticks to his word instead. He wants to keep his promise. This story is good for students who follow through on what they say they’ll do. This is good for ages kindergarten through third grade.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timothy Cox is one of the most persistent children there ever was! Somehow he got it into his neatly combed red head to wear the same pair of socks day in and day out for an entire month, and nothing anyone says or does is going to change his mind. A humorous read aloud that kids will love, illustrated by one of my all-time favorites, Stephen Gammell; whose talent literally wafts off the page.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing in rhythm, telling a story with rhyme
appears to be easy, but (I don't mean to whine)
Even the best of all rhymers can falter and fail
Then the cadence is altered and that ship won't sail!
But add to that story (with poetic flair)
Some quick wit and humor, then THAT book is rare!

This book has it all.

[Jess Gill · Rating 3 out of 5]

great illustrations, which remind me of Steven Kellogg, Timothy Cox refuses to change his socks for an entire month, no matter the consequences. great for this who enjoy Shel Silverstein's poem about the girl who wouldn't take out the garbage.

[Jack Kirby and the X-man · Rating 3 out of 5]

This lyrically written book is a joy to read. Kids will love the idea of super-smelly socks.

The moralising at the end of the story was unnecessary and felt out of place - I felt like I was watching the end of a 1980s cartoon (ala Inspector Gadget).

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so cute, however it is very long. I think that this book is all about little boys being little boys. They will do what they want and be as stubborn as possible even when the health department is called! great way for boys to relate something like this to themselves!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book. It was lyrical which made it fun to read. The story itself was cute and the never give up moral to the story is definantly something I want my son to learn.

[D · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great pictures.

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Both my boys (ages 4 & 8) enjoyed this book and wanted to read it again and again. I thought it would be a little long for my 4-year-old but he loved it.

[Angela Dahle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond silly! Loved the rhyme in this one! Afraid it will give my kiddos ideas. LOL.

[Gabriela · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good story and lesson!